Monday, 8 April 2013

Take a Hike! - in Kolob Canyons
On Saturday April 6 we drove to Kolob Canyons which is in northern Zion National Park.  It was about a half hour drive on a beautiful warm sunny day. 

Very beautiful area, look at how red all the highways are.

We went on a small hike hoping to some some bluebirds, let me clarify, I was hoping to see a bluebird and Don was hoping I would see one so I will finally shut up about seeing a bluebird.  We took this little trail as they said bluebirds were often present so we gave it a try but no luck.
Does this count as a blue bird??  I stopped and talked to this pleasant lady for a little while.  Her and her friend come to Zion every weekend to paint.  How fun is that!
We decided to take the Taylor Creek trail as it is supposedly one of the best birding trails, has a creek running alongside and crossing the trail and can be hooked up to other parts if you want to hike longer.
One of the first things we saw when we finally got down the side of the canyon (it was a fairly long steep way down, and believe me, an even steeper one on the way up).  These turkeys are huge!

I loved hiking on this trail a lot.  We had to cross over this pretty little creek 12 times on a one way trip to the first marker on the trail.  It was so fun to pick your way across the rocks and look at the pretty water as well as the wet rocks.

 Sure wish I knew how I got these 2 pictures beside each other - I have tried to do it before with no success??


These were just some really pretty areas along the trail.  It was like walking on a beautiful sandy beach with a few roots, rocks and water hazards to keep you on your toes.  There were so many pine cones in some areas.
In a lot of spots a lot of these little black larvae were clinging to the rocks.
This rock had a perfect little seat built right into it. 

I will never be sick of looking at the colors of the rock here.
There was an old log house from approximately 1930.  It was so pretty here and we both decided we would turn around and go back after we sat on a log and soaked up the scenery and had a cookie and a drink.  It was so peaceful and amazing.  On the way back I decided I need to add to my "need" list.  This summer I will get a comfortable pair of hiking boots and some of those zip off hiking pants.
 Such a pretty little flower. 

I have a serious fascination with water and oak leaves.  There were quite a few of these water bugs floating around - do you suppose the larvae were these insects? 
I didn't even see this little (3 inches long at most) lizard at first, I noticed the cactus and oak leaf,  but it sure was a bonus.

Love this sand - my shoes are permanently colored the same from all the walking we have done.
The next day Sunday I did laundry, made a "chewy bar" square (which was amazing, it is a recipe we got from Suz and Larry our new friends from Colorado).  This time I actually followed the directions properly and it was super good!  I also vacuumed and washed out the motor home.  Don had a busy day watching Nascar.
We had planned on leaving today (Monday) to go north and kind of wait it out until the snow is gone (or until April 24th ish comes along) so we can head home.  From there we will do 2 or 3 days of big driving.  However, the  whole state is under a huge storm warning.  The wind last night was crazy, and it is still windy, with huge dark sky and periods of rain and snow.  We will hopefully be able to leave on Wednesday for Salt Lake City/Provo area.









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